Topical Encyclopedia Historical Context:Shishak, also known as Sheshonq I, was the first Pharaoh of the Twenty-second Dynasty of Egypt, reigning from approximately 945 to 924 BC. His invasion of Judah is a significant event recorded in the biblical narrative, occurring during the reign of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon and the first king of the divided kingdom of Judah. This event is documented in the biblical books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Biblical Account: The account of Shishak's invasion is primarily found in 1 Kings 14:25-26 and 2 Chronicles 12:1-12. According to these passages, Shishak's campaign against Judah took place in the fifth year of King Rehoboam's reign. The Bible attributes this invasion to Rehoboam's abandonment of the law of the LORD, which led to divine judgment upon Judah. 1 Kings 14:25-26 states: "In the fifth year of Rehoboam’s reign, Shishak king of Egypt came up and attacked Jerusalem. He seized the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the royal palace. He took everything, including all the gold shields that Solomon had made." 2 Chronicles 12:2-4 provides additional details: "Because they had been unfaithful to the LORD, in the fifth year of Rehoboam’s reign, Shishak king of Egypt came up and attacked Jerusalem with 1,200 chariots, 60,000 horsemen, and countless troops who came with him out of Egypt—Libyans, Sukkites, and Cushites. He captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem." Theological Significance: The invasion by Shishak is portrayed as a direct consequence of Judah's spiritual infidelity. The biblical narrative emphasizes the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where obedience brings blessing and disobedience invites judgment. Rehoboam's failure to uphold the covenant led to the loss of the treasures of the temple and the royal palace, symbolizing the spiritual and material decline of the nation. 2 Chronicles 12:5-7 records the intervention of the prophet Shemaiah, who conveyed God's message to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah: "Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and he said to them, 'This is what the LORD says: You have abandoned Me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak.' So the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, 'The LORD is righteous.' When the LORD saw that they had humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah: 'They have humbled themselves; I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.'" Archaeological Correlation: The historical existence of Shishak and his campaign is corroborated by Egyptian records, notably the Bubastite Portal at Karnak, which lists the cities conquered by Shishak. This archaeological evidence supports the biblical account of his military activities in the region, although the specific details of the campaign against Judah are primarily known through the biblical text. Legacy and Impact: Shishak's invasion had lasting implications for the kingdom of Judah. It marked the beginning of a period of vulnerability and decline, as the loss of wealth and military strength weakened the nation. The event serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments and the importance of humility and repentance in restoring divine favor. |